Red Rock Canyon: Nevada on the Rocks

Red Rock Canyon: Nevada on the Rocks

On a trip to Las Vegas this summer, we decided to take a break from the Strip one afternoon and get some fresh air and exercise at Red Rock Canyon, just 15 miles west of downtown.

There are 19 hiking trails and plenty of rock climbing opportunities for all levels of fitness. But you can also enjoy the area by driving the 13-mile scenic loop and spending time at the very educational and interesting Visitor Center.

Whether you hike, climb or drive around Red Rock Canyon, these colorful and unusual rocks tell stories about nature’s forces from ancient times.

Where have you been on the rocks?

You might also like this guest post about Red Rock Canyon that I wrote for the Easy Hiker website: The Hangover Hike

38 thoughts on “Red Rock Canyon: Nevada on the Rocks”

Although Red Rock Canyon certainly isn’t a secret, manyLas Vegas visitors don’t know about it or that it’s so easy to get to from there. The trails range in level of difficulty from easy to strenuous. We were on a moderate trail, Calico Tanks, and came across several people, but it still had a remote feel. Probably less busy early morning.

On my 2nd trip to Vegas (the only one I’ve made as an adult), the madness of the city center was getting to me. I went with a hiking companion out to Red Rock Canyon for a bit of fresh air and adventure. It was a looong time ago, so I didn’t take any photos (only film cameras back then ;). Really nice to see your photos and reminisce. Thanks! 🙂

There is a lot of different varieties of wildlife (e.g. jackrabbits, coyotes, roadrunners) that you can see at Red Rock. Unfortunately, we only saw a desert tortoise and that outside the Visitor Center.

Great photos you got there. Especially the 4th photo that looks like faces too. Like 2 old people with the other one at the right, smiling. It might be hard climbing up on those rocks but I would like to give it a try!

About Catherine Sweeney

Catherine Sweeney is a travel enthusiast with a lifelong passion for going places. A weekend getaway, an international journey, a cross-country road trip, or a local jaunt — they’re all on her radar. And it’s all made extra special when she’s enjoying the finer things in life with Mr. TWS, her husband and co-blogger. Get inspired as they share photos and stories highlighting the best of destinations, food, wine, history, culture and the arts.